LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — December 9, 1983, Page 3

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213. Revision of Office of the Secretary (Ag. 1671): This item is to be retained in the Commission
agenda.
214. Guidelines for District Constitutional Committee (Ag. 1593): It is the consensus of the Commission
that the Guidelines for a model Constitution and Bylaws of a congregation will serve as an adequate
guideline for District constitutional committees in reviewing congregational constitutions.
215. Eligibility--District Evangelism Board and Synod Evangelism Board (Ag. 1680) : A question had
been raised about the eligibility of persons appointed to a District Evangelism Committee for membership
on the synodical Board for Evangelism Services. The Commission ratified the response to Dr. Kolb by
the Secretary, which stated that while persons elected to a District committee would be ineligible, those
appointed would be eligible. It was further noted that the relationship between the Synod and District
Board of Evangelism is not supervisory but reciprocal.
216. South Dakota District Bylaws (Ag. 1568,A): The Secretary is to request a specific response to
concerns identified by the Commission.
217. Stewardship and Financial Support (Ag. 1583): Since the development of this department and its
structure is still in process, the item is to be retained in the agenda.
218. Membership, Boulder (Ag. 1603) : No response has been received regarding this matter. The
Secretary is to request the courtesy of a reply.
219. Iowa West Handbook (Ag. 1638): When the Guidelines for a Model Constitution are completed,
they will be shared with the District.
220. Meeting--President Bohlmann (Ag. 1670) : The Commission asked that the meeting requested by
President Bohlmann be delayed until the May meeting of the Commission.
221. Review of Foundation Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws (Ag. 1616) : A complete document is
not yet available. The item is to be retained in the agenda. A complete copy is to be requested.
222. Ohio District Bylaws (Ag. 236): This matter is to be retained in the agenda.
223. Minnesota South Bylaws (Ag. 1643): This matter is to be retained in the agenda.
224. Elections by Lot (Ag. 1682): The Commission strongly ratified the response of the Secretary for an
informal opinion regarding a congregational constitution which called for election of officers by lot. The
response had stated that care should be taken to ensure that it was not the intention to state that this
method was mandatory. The Commission strongly agreed that, while permissible, this method of election
was considered inadvisable.
225. Constitution--Lincoln, Illinois (Ag. 1683): Although the Commission does not ordinarily deal with
individual congregational matters, it responded to a request from Lincoln, Illinois, regarding its
Constitution since its pastor is a member of the District Committee on Constitutional Matters. The
Commission ratified the opinion of the Secretary that the Chairman of the Board of Elders was, indeed, to
be elected from among the nine elders and did not constitute a tenth person who was a non-elder. It did
not, however, support the opinion regarding eligibility of the president for service. Instead, it ruled that
the president may serve until a successor is elected, but another election should be held forthwith. It also
pointed out that the congregation may alter its Constitution regarding the term of office of the president if
it should wish to do so.